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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 20 of 20. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Sarah T. on December 6, 2005, at 3:00:35
Hi. Do any of you have a CO (carbon monoxide) detector/alarm? I have one, and I just bought another. If you do have one, which brand did you buy?
Posted by verne on December 6, 2005, at 7:41:24
In reply to Do you have a carbon monoxide detector?, posted by Sarah T. on December 6, 2005, at 3:00:35
Posted by Tabitha on December 6, 2005, at 10:02:13
In reply to Do you have a carbon monoxide detector?, posted by Sarah T. on December 6, 2005, at 3:00:35
I have one. Brand is "Kidde", I got it at Target I think. I don't know how to actually tell whether it's any good-- it's not like I can fill up the room with CO2 and see what happens. It has a reassuring little green light that makes me think it's working. I have a 65 yr old gas heater so it seemed like a good idea.
Posted by Larry Hoover on December 6, 2005, at 10:44:00
In reply to Do you have a carbon monoxide detector?, posted by Sarah T. on December 6, 2005, at 3:00:35
> Hi. Do any of you have a CO (carbon monoxide) detector/alarm? I have one, and I just bought another. If you do have one, which brand did you buy?
I'm sure mine was a Sentinel, but it doesn't say the brand anywhere on the device. That's a little odd, isn't it?
Lar
Posted by Larry Hoover on December 6, 2005, at 10:49:27
In reply to Re: Do you have a carbon monoxide detector?, posted by Tabitha on December 6, 2005, at 10:02:13
> I have one. Brand is "Kidde", I got it at Target I think. I don't know how to actually tell whether it's any good-- it's not like I can fill up the room with CO2 and see what happens.
Good point. It's easy enough to test a smoke detector. (It's CO, not CO2.) I've pitched the manual to mine, so I have no idea if they need periodic replacement, or anything.
> It has a reassuring little green light that makes me think it's working. I have a 65 yr old gas heater so it seemed like a good idea.
It is indeed a good idea. Gas appliances are the most likely offenders. You can smell it when an oil heater isn't burning clean.
Lar
Posted by linkadge on December 6, 2005, at 13:27:26
In reply to Re: Do you have a carbon monoxide detector? » Tabitha, posted by Larry Hoover on December 6, 2005, at 10:49:27
Although, the smell isn't always so offensive as to wake you up from a deep sleep.
I'd replace them once a year personally.
Linkadge
Posted by Gee on December 6, 2005, at 15:27:08
In reply to Re: Do you have a carbon monoxide detector?, posted by linkadge on December 6, 2005, at 13:27:26
What do they look like? I have two things on my roof. I know one is a smoke dector but I'm not sure what the other one is.
Posted by Larry Hoover on December 6, 2005, at 16:05:43
In reply to Re: Do you have a carbon monoxide detector?, posted by linkadge on December 6, 2005, at 13:27:26
> Although, the smell isn't always so offensive as to wake you up from a deep sleep.
Carbon monoxide has no smell, link. That's why it is so dangerous. And chronic exposure to tiny amounts is cumulative. Carbon monoxide has higher affinity to haemoglobin than does molecular oxygen.
First symptoms of CO poisoning are identical to the flu. Flu from the flue. (Sorry)
> I'd replace them once a year personally.
>
> LinkadgeA new CO detector every year? They're awfully expensive for that.
OK, I googled this. No need to replace CO sensors. Older units needed new sensor, every 3-5 years. (I read one such sensor. 3 year sensor. 5 year warranty.)
Batteries, once a year, if battery powered.
One thing I never thought about....I have a plug-in one. Paid more, so I didn't have to worry about batteries.
When are you most likely to use alternative heating? E.g. kerosene heaters, or such? When the power is out, eh? Doh!
Be careful out there.
Lar
Posted by Larry Hoover on December 6, 2005, at 16:06:45
In reply to Re: Do you have a carbon monoxide detector?, posted by Gee on December 6, 2005, at 15:27:08
> What do they look like? I have two things on my roof. I know one is a smoke dector but I'm not sure what the other one is.
In some states, CO detectors are mandatory. So, if the two devices are side by side, chances are one is for smoke, the other for CO.
Lar
Posted by linkadge on December 6, 2005, at 16:21:20
In reply to Re: Do you have a carbon monoxide detector? » linkadge, posted by Larry Hoover on December 6, 2005, at 16:05:43
"Carbon monoxide has no smell, link."
I realize. I was referring to your comment on the smell of incomplete combustion.
I believe I read that it takes about ~30 days, for CO to clear the system.
Linkadge
Posted by linkadge on December 6, 2005, at 16:25:53
In reply to Re: Do you have a carbon monoxide detector?, posted by linkadge on December 6, 2005, at 16:21:20
My father taught a college course on heating an air conditioning, so its no surprise that our house is laided with detectors!
Linkadge
Posted by Phillipa on December 6, 2005, at 19:27:50
In reply to Re: Do you have a carbon monoxide detector? » Gee, posted by Larry Hoover on December 6, 2005, at 16:06:45
I think they are in North Carolina. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Sarah T. on December 7, 2005, at 1:42:05
In reply to Re: Do you have a carbon monoxide detector? » Tabitha, posted by Larry Hoover on December 6, 2005, at 10:49:27
Hi Larry,
It's good to see you.
I've read that CO detectors should be replaced every five years.
S.
Posted by Sarah T. on December 7, 2005, at 1:49:26
In reply to Re: Do you have a carbon monoxide detector?, posted by Tabitha on December 6, 2005, at 10:02:13
Hi Tabitha,
I think some of the newer detectors have a button to test whether it's working, and some have a feature that allows you to see whether CO levels were elevated temporarily while you were out.
On another message board, one fellow wrote in to say he tested his CO detector by putting it in the garage when his car was on, but I don't think that's such a good idea. I hope he kept the door open.
S.
Posted by Sarah T. on December 7, 2005, at 1:55:24
In reply to NightHawk (nm) » Sarah T., posted by verne on December 6, 2005, at 7:41:24
Hi Verne,
That's the one I just bought, but now I wonder whether I should have gotten another one. The one I bought is both a smoke detector and a CO detector. The problem is, after buying it, I read that it's best to install smoke detectors on the ceiling , but CO detectors are supposed to be installed farther down, such as on a wall. That's why the plug-in models are good. Most electrical outlets are at the proper level for CO detectors. Apparently, CO may not rise high enough to reach the ceiling, or it may not rise fast enough, even if the levels are elevated. For now, however, I suppose the detector I got is better than none at all.
Posted by verne on December 7, 2005, at 2:53:36
In reply to Re: NightHawk » verne, posted by Sarah T. on December 7, 2005, at 1:55:24
I think Nighthawk has a good rating. I've had mine seven years and remember selecting it over other cheaper brands at the time based on consumer reviews. I think you have a good CO detector.
My Nighthawk is on a wall in a room off the furnance room. In addition I have several smoke detectors spread throughout the house.
The Nighthawk's main purpose should be CO detection. Let the smoke detectors do the rest.
Verne
Posted by verne on December 7, 2005, at 3:03:30
In reply to Re: NightHawk » Sarah T., posted by verne on December 7, 2005, at 2:53:36
I was curious so I looked up the specs on the Nighthawk. It contains an electrochemical sensor that never needs replacing. Also claims to be the most accurate CO sensor in the world. (I don't know about that, some animals are mighty sensitive and could be more accurate)
It has come down in price. I paid $85 at a discount store.
Verne
Posted by linkadge on December 7, 2005, at 9:26:15
In reply to Re: NightHawk » verne, posted by verne on December 7, 2005, at 3:03:30
A button can only tell you if the siren is working. Only the real thing can tell you if its really working. Just like our old smoke detector. Push the button worked fine, but fill the room with burned dinner, no alarm. Match underleath, no alarm.
Linkadge
Posted by Tabitha on December 7, 2005, at 10:02:06
In reply to Re: Testing CO detectors » Tabitha, posted by Sarah T. on December 7, 2005, at 1:49:26
Yeah, there's a button to test the alarm, which I have pressed, and sure enough it emits a godawful screech, but that doesn't really tell me whether the thing is going to detect CO. Not that I'm especially worried about it, but for all I know, it could just be an expensive nightlight with a noisemaking button.
The guy with the car was on the right track. Only bad part is having to rush into the toxic fume cloud in the garage to turn off the shrieking alarm.
Posted by fairywings on December 8, 2005, at 13:47:04
In reply to Do you have a carbon monoxide detector?, posted by Sarah T. on December 6, 2005, at 3:00:35
Yep, don't know the brand, but it plugs in.
fw
This is the end of the thread.
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